The new and improved Moto Magic 2
The Moto Magic 2 is easier to make and runs better than anything before, however it runs in circles!
If you like to race it over a distance then make the moto magic from a tin can, just look it up under CATEGORIES in the side bar and there you will find the older version.
These materials are all easy to get. The plastic tub and lid are recycled from the grocery store, or you ask in the store for an empty one, they sell for about 25 cents, but if you explain why you need it you will get it free, most likely! Any one or two elastics will do, they need to be long enough to span the length of the tub and a little more. You need also a medicine cup, you can get it at any pharmacy, free if you ask nicely. The wooden tooth pick or match stick at the bottom is needed to stop the elastic from turning, the steel washers are used to lower the friction, or drag, so your Moto Magic 2 will run better. The larger stick is a used shish-kebab scewer, or any larger but light stick or rod about 25-30 cm long.
The bottom part assembled
You have to burn a hole in the bottom of the plastic tub with a small soldering iron, or a hot wire, ask for help from an adult. You can also drill holes in the plastic, but it might crack!
You need holes in the bottom of the tub, in the lid and in the medicine cup, all holes in the centre, please!
The Moto Magic II assembled
You string the elastic through the bottom of the tub as in the previous photo and then through the lid, the medicine cup, washers and then put the stick into the end loop of the elastic. Done! Decorate and you can play with your Moto Magic 2.
The Centrifugal Force toy...
Follow the steps below and you end up with an interesting toy that demonstrates how the centrifugal force on the marble pushes it higher in bowl the faster you spin it. Or you can make it go slower and see what happens.
Have fun making it. Don`t hesitate to ask an adult to give you a helping hand, almost anybody with some basic tools will be able to help you!
The materials you need.
You need a plastic bowl, which we bought at a low cost general store, a piece of plastic electrical conduit, a small piece of scrap wood, some screws and washer, and a marble and cork. You need also different colours of electrical tape and stickers to decorate your Centrifugal Force Toy!
The bowl needs a rim ...
The bowl needs a rim which we can make by putting electrical tape around the edge, but… you have to pull it hard and leave half of the width over the edge, this makes the tape curl over the edge and nicely stay there. Just go around with the tape at least one and a half times so it stays in place. This forms an edge that keeps the marble in the bowl when you spin it fast!
Also note the hole we drilled in the bottom of the bowl. If you don`t have a drill, use a small soldering iron and melt a hole through the plastic bottom, that is actually better because it makes the edge of the hole stronger, but both methods are fine. You need a little adult guidance with this, and, as always make sure you work safely with the tools, and use safety glasses!
Handle and wooden base ready to put together.
The handle is a piece of platic electric conduit that we cut out over a length of about 5 centimeter, removing half of the tube wall. The cutout fits with one end of the wood base and you can screw it to the wood as shown in the next photo. The plastic tube cuts easily with a fine saw, any small saw will do. You can always ask a friend or neighbour or electrician to help you with this.
The handle and wooden base are ready.
All you have to do now is to mount the bowl on the wooden base using a small screw and washer to better clamp the bowl down and not crack the plastic. Pressto, you are ready to experiment…
The racing marble toy, see how the centrifugal force lets the marble run uphill!
You are done! Now move the bowl in small circles and the marble will run around faster and faster or slower, it all depends on you. Try to race the marble as fast as you can without losing it. There is alway the secret compartment where you can get another marble, just in case…
